History YMMV / YokaiWatch

** Much like the infamous ''Pokemon'' VS ''Digimon'' rivalry, comparing the series to ''Pokemon'' is generally not a good idea (whether you're claiming that ''Pokemon'''s time is up and touting ''Yo-kai Watch'' as its replacement or you're attacking ''Yo-kai Watch'' as a ripoff of ''Pokemon''). Much like that rivalry, the two series are similar in that they're both Kodomo {{Mon}}s series and that there's a GottaCatchEmAll element to them. Both series also feature characters based on {{Youkai}}. The hate between ''Pokemon'' and ''Yo-Kai Watch'' fans became even worse when it was revealed that the ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' adaptation of the [[Anime/{{Pokemon}} anime]] is abandoning the much praised newer ''X and Y'' art style and serious feel for a DenserAndWackier, school based plot seemed to make the series better compete with ''Yo-Kai Watch''. Interestingly, in Japan there is a large age difference between fans of ''Pokemon'' and fans of ''Yo-kai Watch''. There, the younger fans of ''Yo-kai Watch'' claim that ''Pokemon''[='s=] fandom is "full of old fogeys", and mostly like the games because it hasn't caught on with older gamers yet (which is a little ironic, considering most American fans of ''Yo-kai Watch'' are the same age as these "old fogeys").
** Another odd one is with ''Film/StarWarsTheForceAwakens'', due to the fact that in Japan, the second movie of ''Yo-Kai Watch'', ''Lord Enma and the Five Stores'', beat out said ''Star Wars'' movie at the box office. Unsurprisingly enough, it's mostly from this franchise's [[AmericansHateTingle hatedom in the US]].

** As stated above, it's not uncommon to see the evolved forms of some Yo-Kai as siblings or parental figures to their pre-evolved forms. Matenou as K'mon-K'mon's older brother is the more popular example.

* FandomSpecificPlot: A large chunk of fanfics are about an AlternateUniverse where Katie got the Yo-Kai Watch instead of Nate. If not that, then they take place in a 'verse where a second watch appears and Katie obtains it.

** ''Yo-kai Watch'' is very popular in Spain. The merchandise sells well, and they even got toys that weren't released in North America.

* MemeticLoser: [=McKraken's=] goal is effictively global domination. While initially treated seriously, the idea has gotten more ridiculous as time has gone on, as he, with just himself and a few low tier Yo-kai, [[PowerCreepPowerSeep would have to take down many high tier threats that were introduced in later instalments]]. The fandom has since portrayed him as a NormalFishInaTiny Pond, often jokingly pitting him against crossover characters like [[Franchise/FinalFantasy the near entire cast of the final fantasy franchise]] who are considered Yo-kai by the franchise's standards.

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: Slimamander suffers some of this due to how little it speaks, to the point that the main character questions whether it was really evil to begin with. Neither implications are particularly pleasant. (see the [[NightmareFuel/YoKaiWatch Nightmare Fuel page]] for details). His Light Side form in Shadowside reveals that he's definitely not evil, but is very... wacky.

** While this franchise is ''huge'' back in Japan, a majority of American consumers have responded with little to no interest, though both the games and anime have still gained a small but incredibly loyal fanbase there. First, there's indifference from the fact that it deals with the childish aspects of Myth/JapaneseMythology (which, while popular among certain niches in the US, [[AmericanKirbyIsHardcore a number of them prefer the darker and bloodier side of it]] as seen in games like ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'', while some [[LostInTranslation don't get the specific references]]). Then, there's the seething hatred caused by a massive FandomRivalry with {{Franchise/Pokemon}} (which already exists in Japan, but not to the extent of the US's), due to Creator/{{Nintendo}} being the licensor outside of Japan, people calling it a "Pokemon killer" judging by the Japanese sales (Ignoring the gaming culture differences between the US and Japan), and trying to [[AdoredByTheNetwork promote]] the heck out of the game, leading to some HypeBacklash. With the release of ''Yo-kai Watch 2'', most of the hate seems to have died down. However, some have turned to ''Yokai Watch'' as a scapegoat (alongside ''VideoGame/PokemonGo'') due to the perceived dumbing down of the Mainline ''Pokemon'' games. This came to a boil after ''VideoGame/PokemonLetsGoPikachuAndLetsGoEevee''‘s release and when the [[VideoGame/YokaiWatch4 fourth game's]] trailer for the Switch. Because ''Yokai Watch'''s popularity in Japan has (supposedly) influenced the direction of the ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' Anime to a more school SliceOfLife style as opposed to the more adventure driven previous seasons, some have assumed that ''Let's Go's'' design changes and LighterAndSofter nature are attributed to an attempt to appeal to ''Yokai Watch'' fans. (Never mind that [[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids the manga has always run in a magazine targeted at grade-schoolers]])

* TheyCopiedIt,SoItSucks!: Although the franchise has been successful and well received, some have criticized it for copying from the most famous franchise, namely Pokemon. In fact, the yo-kai would be the Pokémon,nate would be the Ash couple and Jibanyan would be the Pikachu couple.

** It's also one of the most family friendly ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTensei'' games ever made.

* WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs: In the Dandoodle episode, Whisper and Jibanyan are inspirited by Dandoodle and gain the faces of Creator/BruceWillis, Creator/WillSmith, and Creator/LeonardoDiCaprio. Later on, it's revealed Dandoodle's ability extends to inanimate objects, where the food and posters also gain handsome ''talking'' faces.

* VindicatedByHistory: On the Western side, the franchise has always struggled with being compared to ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' ever since the beginning, and [[AmericansHateTingle was scrutinized for it as a result]]. Then one day on Website/{{Twitter}}, a hashtag for [=#SaveYoKaiWatch=] popped up, as a way to keep awareness for the franchise alive due to popularity waning at the time. Suddenly, a bunch of Western fans made themselves known talking about how much they love the series and don't want it to fade away, to the point where it was trending.

* WhatDoYouMeanItWasntMadeOnDrugs: Some of the Yo-Kai and the effects they have on humans are immensely weird and unique that it really makes one wonder just what exactly was going through the makers' minds:
** For one, Rockabelly makes its victim gain a squiggly face on their stomach, where they will then proceed to flaunt their bulgy belly around.

** Don't Google Indy Jaws [[labelnote:Explanation]]In his first anime apperance in Episode 179, a gag throughout has the back of [[NakedPeopleAreFunny Indy Jaws' clothes getting torn]]. This by and large should have gone unnoticed, but this gag continued for nearly the entire episode, with not only Indy never changing out of the same pair of clothes, but the epsiode goes as far as to include several shots panning and focusing on not just his naked back, but also his bare ass. To say that [[BaraGenre bara furry fans]] went wild with this is an understatement, and as a result, googling Indy Jaws leads to about [[TheInternetIsforPorn 80% of image results being porn.]][[/labelnote]]

** ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'' is the Japanese ''Franchise/{{Ghostbusters}}''. Ghost-catching devices? Check! Set in the city streets? Check! Bizarre-looking creatures? Check! Ghostly creatures being sucked in the gadgets? Double check!

** Smogmella from ''Yo-Kai Watch 2'' quickly fell into this since her debut, matching Insomni and Blizzaria in popularity, which is particularly amusing because some have noted that Smogmella's appearance looks like a fusion of Insomni and Blizzaria's designs.[[note]]Smogmella is close to Blizzaria's color-scheme, is more human-like in appearance ([[AmazingTechnicolorPopulation unlike]] [[{{Cyclops}} Insomni]]) and is an evolution of a smaller, cute Yo-kai like Blizzaria (who evolves from Frostina). From Insomni, Smogmella takes a ghost-like appearance similar to her (referencing her being a mist Yo-kai), as well as having shoulder-baring, low-neckline kimono [[SelfFanservice that is often exaggerated in fan art]]. And while Smogmella actually has two eyes, she often invokes a PeekABangs look with her hair, so only one of her eyes is prominent.[[/note]]

** In Japan, "Yo-kai Exercise No. 1" was a popular subject of dance cover and [[StupidStatementDanceMix MAD Vid]].

* MemeticMutation: In Japan, "Yo-kai Exercise No. 1" was a popular subject of dance cover and [[StupidStatementDanceMix MAD Vid]].